This page was last updated September 2023 except where otherwise noted.
What are the best wardrobe essentials for work? What are the building blocks of a great working wardrobe? We’ve long noticed, in the course of our regular recommendations for pieces for your working wardrobe, that there are “greatest hits” — dresses and skirts and other basics that are highly rated, reappear year after year, and seem to work for a ton of different sizes and shapes.
We’ve collected some in our Workwear Hall of Fame — but a lot of them appear in our regular Hunt roundups, where we’re hunting for a workwear basic in a range of prices. But if you happen to be building a work wardrobe for a new job (or a change of job), these “greatest hits” would be a great place to start building your working wardrobe — because they’re wardrobe essentials for work.
You may also want to check out the Hunts we’ve done for currently trendy workwear.
Finally: pregnant and on the hunt for the best maternity workwear essentials? Check out our blog for working moms, CorporetteMoms, for all the details.
{related: the best plus-size women’s workwear – wardrobe essentials!}
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Workwear Essentials for a Conservative Office
You can wear almost everything on this list to every kind of office — but our specialty here at Corporette has always been in what to wear to conservative, corporate offices like those at law firms, banks, and consulting agencies.
If you’re moving to a more business casual office, check out our advice on how to adapt a conservative style for a business casual office — and check out our guide to business casual for women.
Wardrobe Essentials for Work: Classic, Comfortable Heels
A comfortable heel is a great way to get a sleek, professional look with a lot of different outfits.
Colorwise, you can do a lot with black and gray — but I’ve always loved a purple pump for versatility, or a nude-for-you heel to make it look like your legs go for miles (with or without pantyhose or tights).
Some of the best-selling pumps that are great first bets if you’re on the hunt include these classic black heels for business attire:
These are some of our favorite heels as of 2023, but check out our entire Guide to Comfortable Heels!
Stylish “Comfort Heels” For Work
One of our most popular pages has long been our Guide to Comfortable Heels — and while we often round up popular, highly-rated heels, we thought we’d feature some of the popular heels that are especially known for comfort.
These can be great if you’re just getting used to heels, you need to be on your feet for a networking event or presentation, or you’ve just got fussy feet.
Stylish comfort heels for 2022: 1) Naturalizer 2) Clarks 3) Naturalizer 4) Trotters 5) Lifestride (not pictured but see also!)
In general, check out brands like Clarks, Naturalizer, Trotters, Cole Haan, Vionic, and Lifestride if you’re seeking affordable, stylish comfort heels!
Comfortable Flats for Work
Comfortable ballet flats are a must if you’re on your feet a lot, but pointy toed flats are sleeker and easier to pair with skirts.
Meanwhile, loafers and round-toed flats have come a long way. Here were some of our favorites in our last roundup of comfortable flats for summer:
The Best Pants for Work
Stylish Dress Pants for Women
There are a TON of great options for pants for work right now, with lots under $100 and almost everything being machine washable. (Check out our tips here on HOW to wash your washable pants to help with durability and help you avoid ironing…) There are stretchy options to keep you comfortable all day long (like the “comfortable magic pants” the readers love!) and more substantial, stiffer options that will look crisp all day and hold you in a bit more (a bit like this one). (If you really like washable clothes, check our roundup of the best brands for washable workwear over at CorporetteMoms.) Below, some of our favorites from our roundup of the best pants for work:
Polished Pull-On Pants for Work
Great Wide-Leg Pants to Wear to Work
Hunting for more wide-leg pants to wear to work? We just rounded some up — general favorites include pleated pairs like Favorite Daughter, Everlane*, Reformation*, and Abercrombie*, with flat-front pairs from Good American,* M.M.LaFleur, and Ann Taylor. (* = plus sizes; see the post for notes on petites and talls). Latest favorites include these (as of Sept. 2023):
Great Blazers for Work: The Perfect Third Piece
Classic Blazers to Wear as Separates
Some of our favorite blazers to wear as separates include:
Hunting for a lux statement blazer? 2023 favorites include Smythe, include McQueen, L’Agence, Veronica Beard, The Fold, Armani, and Anine Bing.
Sweater Jackets for the Office: Cozy but Polished
Another great wardrobe essential that’s become popular in recent years: sweater jackets for the office!
Where to Find Chanel-Like Jackets for the Office
Some of our latest favorite Chanel-style jackets for work in 2023 include these, but in general check brands like Chanel, St. John, IRO, L’Agence, and Sandro.
The Best Dresses for the Office
Stylish Sheath Dresses for Work
A sheath dress is a must for the conservative office — it’s a great structured, tailored piece that you can dress up or down with a blazer. (We haven’t done a roundup of fit & flare dresses for a while, but when we do we’ll update this page.)
Colorful Sheath Dresses
Of course, work dresses can be colorful also — these are some of the best bets if you’re hunting for rich, saturated colors:
Great Wrap Dresses for Work
Wrap dresses are a great option to wear to work while losing weight, because they always fit — some new moms also think wrap dresses make the best clothes for pumping (although opinions vary widely on that). If you’re not pumping and wondering what to wear beneath a wrap dress, check out this post. Some classic options for wrap dresses, below:
As of 2023, some of our favorite wrap dresses for work include 1) the classic DVF* (also look on resale sites!), 2) Kiyonna*, 3) Karen Kane*, 4) Amazon Essentials*, and 5) Anne Klein (* are available in plus sizes!).
The Best Skirts for Work
Pencil skirts are a GREAT wardrobe basic — they make a great structured base for pairing with everything from button-front blouses to elevated tees to blazer/cardigan/jardigan looks. Some favorite pencil skirts for work:
Some of our favorite pencil skirts for work as of 2023: J.Crew* / Vince Camuto* / Ann Taylor / Spanx* / Boss / Black Halo (also check Calvin Klein, Theory, and this Amazon seller) (*plus sizes available – plus-size readers also love Eileen Fisher skirts) (also: readers love these slip shorts!)
Polished Tops and Blouses for Work
Crisp Button-Front Blouses for Work
A crisp women’s dress shirt is a great layering piece for beneath a blazer, a sweater, or more. If you find that button downs don’t work with your bust, but still want to wear them, do check out our roundup of boutique shops specializing in busty blouses — you can also check out our advice on how to wear a button-front to work. If you prefer a silk button-front, scroll down…
Silk Button-Front Blouses
Another stylish option: the silk button-front. These can be easier for layering beneath a suit, cardigan, or more — but be warned they can be higher maintenance.
Easy Popover Blouses for Work Outfits
Popover blouses can be the best of all worlds — they’re dressy, but don’t have gaping problems, and are usually easy to care for (i.e., machine washable). Here are some of our latest favorites…
Short-Sleeved Sweaters
Short-sleeved sweaters can be great because they don’t present the layering problems of longer sleeved sweaters, and they can be a bit more opaque than regular t-shirts, particularly if you want a light or white color. They also don’t have the gaping problems of blouses.
Sleeveless Tops for Work
Sleeveless tops, shells and blouses can be great alternatives to sleeved blouses and tees, particularly if you want a layered look with clean lines. These are some of our favorites — you can see our whole roundup of sleeveless tops.
Some of our favorite sleeveless tops as of 2022: one / two / three / four/ five (not pictured but also)
Camisoles for Work
Of course, if you’re wearing button-front shirts, you may want to look into camisoles for work — they can be great for raising the neckline, making sure no skin is showing through gaps in buttons, and can be a generally great layering piece. (Also check out our roundup of the best demi-camisoles for work — great if you don’t like a ton of unnecessary fabric around your midsection.) Remember: if you’re hoping it will raise the neckline of what you’re wearing, you’re looking for something that doesn’t look like lingerie — the less lace, mesh, and other details, the better.
Pictured above, our favorite camisoles for work: one / two / three / four (25+ different color combos in a 4 pack!)– don’t forget about demi-camisoles too, such as this, this or this — or chemisettes!)
T-Shirts for Work
T-shirts are great in summer, of course, but they’re also great for layering under cardigans and blazers as seasons change. Some of our favorite tees for layering include:
Looking for the best women’s t-shirts for layering at the office? As of 2023, these are some of our favorites — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!
Professional Tote Bags
A work tote is a MUST if you’re interviewing — you need something big enough to hold a folder with your resume, light enough that you don’t mind lugging it around, and durable enough that you won’t cry if it gets rained on. (Note that we’ve also talked about the best backpacks for your commute, as well as the most stylish laptop totes and sleeves.) Some of the best work bags of all time are pictured below, ranging from $168-$298:
(Looking for a luxury work bag? Here’s our latest roundup…)
Looking for the best laptop bags for work? These are some of our Hall of Famer styles:
Backpacks for work are getting more and more popular, as well, so you may want to check out our recent roundup of the best stylish backpacks for work (including which laptop backpacks are polished enough for work)!
Update: Hunting for the best work backpacks? Some of our favorites in 2023 are below — see the full post for all the details!
Stylish Purses the Readers Love
Hunting for a great handbag? In 2023, readers are loving affordable crossbody bags like those from Cuyana, Lo & Sons, and Madewell.
In terms of a designer bag to suit your life as a professional, readers have been loving affordable(ish) brands like See by Chloé, Polène, Strathberry, DeMellier, and Mansur Gavriel, as well as more designer bags like Chloé (particularly the Marcie line) and Mulberry. (If money is no object, Loewe and Bottega Venetta are always worth a look!)
Seasonal Wardrobe Essentials For Work: Summer Work Clothes
Nude-For-You Pumps
Whether your office allows bare legs in summer, or you just prefer the bare look with great pantyhose, matching the tone of your shoe to the tone of your legs is one way to make your legs look like they go for miles. Some of our latest favorite skin-tone pumps for work include:
2023 Update: Some of our latest favorite nude heels for every skin tone include the following — see the full post for all the details!
Lightweight Summer Blazers
If summer recruiting is in your life at all (whether as a summer associate, an intern, or as an interviewer!), the summer blazer can be an easy way to look pulled together, FAST. (We’ve also rounded up our favorite stylish summer dress pants for women!) Some of our favorite lightweight blazers for summer include these best-sellers…
Hunting for lightweight blazers in linen and other fabrics? As of 2023, J.Crew’s Parke blazer is available in linen, as is this super affordable Quince blazer. Along related lines (all machine washable!), check out Uniqlo’s Airsense jacket (lightweight and stretchy), Madewell’s Drapeweave line (lightweight and drapey) and Brooks Brothers’ Soft Icons line (lightweight and drapey).
Another great option for a summer blazer: the white blazer. They can freshen up a ton of outfits and add an element of polish and structure to an otherwise relaxed summer outfit.
April 2023 Update: These are some of our latest favorite white blazers...
Finally, it should be noted that a great layering piece you may not even KNOW about for hot summer months is the demi-camisole. This can be a great way to raise the neckline of anything you’re wearing without adding a ton of fabric around your middle. (Most people still wear a regular bra beneath these — know your office if you only wear one of these.)
Psst: Want more coverage but not the additional layer of a camisole? Check out demi-camisoles — as of 2021, favorites include this, this or this — or chemisettes!
Cold Weather Basics for Work
Cold weather is another beast — we’ve also discussed how to buy a great winter coat, as well as how to be graceful in a New York winter. (We’ve included our favorite sweater jackets for the office above, with blazer recommendations.) Stay tuned for updates to our hunt for flannel pants, also!
Warm Winter Pants
Tweed Blazers for Work
Cardigans Every Woman Needs for Work
So many women love cardigans for work — they’re more comfortable and warmer than a blazer, and can be a much more laid back, casual look. We’ve broken down the different styles of cardigans and how we wear them to work — these are some of our favorites through the years. You may also want to check out our roundup of affordable blazers under $50 as many are knit and comfy.
Pictured above, some of our favorite classic, stylish cardigans for the office as of 2022: mint* / blue* / lavender / pink* (* come in plus sizes too!) (not pictured but also)
Affordable Cashmere for Work
Cashmere runs the gamut from affordable to expensive — and we’ve talked about the best cashmere a ton over the years. Below are some of the best-selling, great cashmere sweaters for work that we’ve seen for years:
Tights for Work
Tights for work are a must — and whether you want opacity, warmth, durabilty, or more, we did a major roundup. Below are some of the best-selling reader favorites.
Note that we’ve also talked about what color tights to wear with a navy suit, as well as when it’s time to stop wearing tights (seasonally). You can also check out the Corporette Guide to Pantyhose or our 2017 discussion on the best lingerie for office looks.
Above: some of the best tights for work as of 2022: one / two / three / four
(here are two great fleece-lined options — and here’s a great way to store tights!)
Strappy Pumps for the Office
I’m always a fan of strappy pumps, but I especially think they’re the best work shoe to wear with tights — these are some of the best-selling, classic versions of strappy pumps:
Best Knee-High Boots for Commuting
Pictured: great knee-high boots for commuting to work: one / two / three
Winter Coats To Wear to Work
Winter coats are a must if you live in a cold climate — the right topper will not only keep you warm but also stylish. Some reader favorites are pictured below, but note that we’ve also discussed in general how to buy a great winter coat.
Some of our favorite classic coats for work as of July 2023 include: olive / blue / green / caramel / black / gray (not pictured but also) – and don’t forget to check out our editors’ latest favorite trendy winter coats for work, as well as our favorite washable winter coats!
Waterproof, Weatherproof Shoes for Work
If your commute involves puddles, slush, dirt, or more, a great waterproof, weatherproof shoe is essential! Some favorite options over the years include:
Long Underwear For the Win
As we noted in our last post on warm women’s dress pants for the office, silk long johns (aka long underwear, aka silk leggings) can be lifesavers under pants in most blustry days of winter. The best ones block the wind, keeping you nice and toasty — but don’t add a ton of heat once you get inside.
They’re also great if you’re wondering what to wear beneath unlined suit pants…
The Corporette® Guide to Suits
Whether you need a suit for an interview, for courtroom attire, or you just wear suits often for work, we’ve covered them all. Do check out our Guide to Interview Suits for a lot of basic guidelines on suits; we’ve also recently done a big overview on the best women’s suits by price range (with separate roundups for plus sizes, tall sizes, petite sizes, and more), as well as discussed the best business suits to wear while you’re expecting.
Affordable Suits for Women
All of the suits in this tier are generally under $250 for two pieces. Note that the two big risks with a budget option will be frumpiness on one end — and “sexy secretary”/ formality problems on the other.
Try to look for a material that drapes well, doesn’t wrinkle, isn’t too seasonal (such as a cotton suit — a tropical wool or triacetate will go farther) — and be wary of trendy cuts like collarless jackets, huge slits in your skirt, cropped pants, and more.
Mid-Range Suits for Women
These suits are reliably under $500 for two pieces — but they’re going to be a bit higher quality than more affordable suiting options in the first tier.
Investment Suits for Women
I also call this category “fancy affordable” — they’re expensive, but generally worth it if you wear a suit a lot. For many women this is going to be the first “splurge” suit — two pieces will cost you more than $500, but less than $1000.
Designer Suits for Women
Some of the usual suspects for basic designer suits: McQueen / Altuzarra / Akris / Michael Kors / Veronica Beard
Our Favorite Navy Suits
Navy suits are a great basic for interviews, conservative workplaces, and big presentations!
The pros are that navy is generally a more flattering color for many skintones than the harsher black, and one of the big pitfalls of navy (getting the navies to match) is taken care of by the fact that you’re buying matching pieces in the same fabric!
The only con to navy suits is that they can be slightly harder to style — as a general rule of thumb, wear black accessories to dress them up, brown to dress them down.
Some of our latest favorite navy suits as of 2023 include these options:
Stylish Charcoal Gray Suits for Women
These charcoal gray suits have been around for a while and are a great bet for where they’ll be in stock as of 2023…
Weekend Wear (or for your Casual Office)
Best-Selling Denim
Every woman needs a good pair of jeans — even if you only get to wear them on the weekends. In our last round-up of the best jeans for work, these were the favorites, ranging from $25-$235:
These are some of the best jeans for work (affiliate links): 1) Paige 2) Madewell 3) Topshop 4) Wit & Wisdom 5) Levi’s — and you may want to check out our recent discussion on how to wear denim trousers
The Best T-shirts for the Weekend
We also recently rounded up the best simple t-shirts for weekend:
Above, some of the best weekend women’s t-shirts: one / two/ three / four (these affordable T-shirts are also reader favorites!)
Pictured illustration: Deposit Photos / © urfingus.
